A Ramsgate woman headbutted by a vicious lover was given tablets by a hospital doctor for concussion and sent home, a court has heard.

And it was only after the victim complained of continuing pain 10 days later that hospital officials ordered an X-ray for the first-time.

Then it was discovered the woman had a fractured jaw bone which will require more surgery to correct.

Now a judge has jailed her attacker, Austin Francis, 56, for 21 months – and ordered him to stay away from his ex-partner for five years.

Francis, who has since moved to north London, pleaded guilty to causing his victim grievous bodily harm in June this year.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how the relationship began in 2005 had been volatile and he was convicted of battering her in 2011.

Phil Rowley, defending, said that since moving to Thanet Francis had only worked for a short while as a housekeeper at a Travelodge hotel.

“He accepts this was a deeply unpleasant incident and he wishes to apologise to the complainant.”

Prosecutor Natalia Constantine told how Francis had been living at the victim’s home when an argument began.

“Francis had been drinking when the argument broke out and words were exchanged.

“He then headbutted the victim, causing injuries to left side of her face and she then fled the house and sought refuge with a neighbour.”

Ms Constantine told the court that the victim was seen at the hospital and her bruises examined before she was released with Paracetamol for her concussion.

“Ten days later, on July 2, the victim went back to the hospital when she was X-rayed and doctors then discovered a fracture of the mandible, “ she added.

Judge Heather Norton told Francis he had "a bad temper exacerbated by drink”.